(AS-Schneider Group: Nordheim, Germany) -- A highlight from the AS-Schneider Group at the ADIPEC at Booth 8840 in Hall 8: The new Digital Valve Kit, which helps plant operators get the current health status of their valves. In addition, a specialist for industrial valves will present valves for hydrogen and high-pressure applications as well as customized injection quill solutions for oil and gas applications.

Every year, technicians install millions of mechanical components in new or old plants—many of which are valves and valve manifolds. To take advantage of the IoT, suppliers, plant engineers and operators must include these valves in the digital twin of the plant. This is exactly where the AS-Schneider Group comes in, developing valve solutions that can be easily integrated into the global and digital industrial infrastructure of the future.

For several years, AS-Schneider has been offering its customers the Digital Product Pass for valves, which fulfills the requirements of DIN SPEC 91406 (IEC 61406). The E Series valves and manifolds, monoflanges, VariAS-blocks and DBB piping ball valves are marked with a unique QR code. The user can scan this or enter the individual serial number at www.qr4v.de. That QR code provides easy access to static product information such as technical specification, activity-specific docs, individual drawings, certificates, and spare parts.

Having recently joined the Digital Data Chain Consortium (Digital Data Chain), AS-Schneider will now move to the next level by norming the data according to VDI 2770 and providing the data package via the third platform (so-called cloud-based information exchange platform). The first insights are shared by AS-Schneider at Booth 8840.

Digitalization—Digital Valve Kit

In addition to the static Digital Product Pass, AS-Schneider is working on a dynamic solution to sense or capture data allowing insights into the health status of valves. This is achieved by using a newly developed digital service, the Digital Valve Kit.

The Digital Valve Kit immediately provides the maintenance team with all error messages and warnings. This enables an early warning for the plant operator to conduct further measures. The system is compliant with all industry-relevant standards (e.g. NAMUR standard). A live demo of this can be seen daily at ADIPEC at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Booth 8840.

Hydrogen-compliant DBB piping ball valves.

Valves for hydrogen applications

AS-Schneider’s valves have been successfully used for hydrogen for more than 20 years—all valves and manifolds as well as the DBB ball valves are suitable for this purpose. The instrumentation and piping valves can also be used safely in natural gas applications with, for example, a 20 percent hydrogen blending. This feature is particularly interesting for natural gas plant operators and gas network operators who want to convert their natural gas pipelines for hydrogen.

AS-Schneider recommends austenitic stainless steel 316 or 316L as the optimum material for instrumentation and pipeline valves in the hydrogen industry. Other materials are also possible, but those responsible should ensure that nonmetallic valve materials such as seals and lubricants are compatible with the hydrogen medium. There are lists of these in the standards and norms (Sandia, ISO/TR, SAE).

When users select the appropriate valve head unit, they must first check whether the operating environment is closed or open. If the environment is open, they can use the standard valve head unit from AS-Schneider. If the valve is mounted in a closed, nonventilated environment—which could be a protective shade or a container—it increases tightness requirements. Those will be covered with special valve inserts (Fugitive Emission Standards like TA-Luft or bellow-sealed valves).

Plant operators should consult the hydrogen experts at ADIPEC to find the right material and valve head units for their specific requirements.

The customized injection quill consists of two shut-off valves and one bleed valve.

An injection quill or sampling quill with an integral DBB valve and check valve is pretty much a custom-designed product. From the unique process conditions to the custom length and dimensions, many parameters must be taken into consideration. This is where AS-Schneider comes into play.

The injection quill could come in various configuration, connections, and valves, from a simple fabricated tube/probe to an integrated assembly with isolation valves and nonreturn valves. AS-Schneider manufactures an integrated chemical injection quill, complete with probe, double block-and-bleed assembly (two isolation valves and one bleed valve) and an integral nonreturn check valve, all in one compact assembly. Referring to the above illustration, this injection quill can also be converted into a sampling quill by a redesign on the probe and without the integral check valve. Sampling quill is used to safely take out fluid samples from the process line for analytical or laboratory purpose.

This type of quill is mounted into the pipeline through a fitting so the quill/probe is inserted and extends down to the center of the process line. The other end is connected to the chemical feed line by pipe or tubing connections all the way back to the chemical-injection skid or chemical dosing packages that house the pump and chemical tank.

When designing an injection quill, the following points must be considered:

• Design calculation
• Material
• Safe isolation
• Dimension
• Nozzles
• Mounting options

Because of the numerous factors that must be considered in the selection and installation, it is recommended that you consult the experts: So, visit Booth 8840 to discuss your individual application.

Valves for high-pressure applications

Pressure is one of the most important parameters when it comes to optimally controlling and regulating processes. Instrumentation requirements are increasing due to new oil and gas production techniques used in deepwater offshore and enhanced oil recovery operations. Higher pressures are still being generated, which the valves must be able to withstand. Therefore, users need robust, durable, and reliable valves for safe and accurate measurements. This is the only way they can control and regulate the high pressures.

For such tough applications, AS-Schneider Group’s high-pressure valves are designed and tested for superior pressure performance for all critical applications in the oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries. The valves allow leak-tight shutoff for control and regulation.

The special secondary back seat provides an additional sealing to atmosphere. That means there is less wear on packing, which improves safety for the user (anti-blowout/nonremovable). The high-pressure valves also have a special thrust bearing of the stem/valve tip connection to absorb the highest stem forces.